Machine for pulling standing flax or other like plants



Dec. 19, 1939. M. A. SOENENS MACHINE FOR PULLING STANDING FLAX OR OTHERLIKE PLANTS 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filgad July 23, 1937 I v nlllrlnllulullmllllllm"! A Modrce A S soenens vE NTo K Wk Dec. 19, 1939.M. A. SOENENS MACHINE FOR PULLING STANDING FLAX OR OTHER LIKE PLANTSFiled July 23, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 n e H 0 S 5 1 A e c n U 0 M a o TN v m Dec; 1939- M. A. SOENENS MACHINE FOR PULLING STANDING FLAX OROTHER LIKE PLANTS Filed July 23, 193'. 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 h1aur ce soenenS INVENTOQ,

Dec. 19, 1939. A SQENENS 2,183,946

' MACHINE FOR PULLING STANDING FLAX OR OTHERLIKE PLANTS Fil ed July 23,1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Maurice Ao1s5oqnen5 \N VENTOR 7 Ella ATrv.

Dec 19, 1939. M. A. SOENENS MACHINE FOR PULLING STANDING FLAX OR OTHERLIKE PLANTS Filed July 23, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 (NWENT'OQI W Dec. 19,1939. SOENENS 2,183,946

MACHINE FOR PULLING STANDING FLAX OR OTHER LIKE PLANTS Filed July 23,1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 mavn'ce' [SJ-0Y6 soenens \NVE. NTO R.

- 50 ample a petrol motor.

Patented Dec. 19, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

MACHINE FOR PULLIN G STANDING FLAX OR OTHER LIKE PLANTS In Belgium July30, 1936 Application July 23, 1937, Serial No. 155,207

11 Claims. (01. 55-66) My present'invention relates to a machine forpulling standing fiax or other like plants.

It has for its object to increase considerably the efiiciency ofexisting machines and so to ar- 5 range matters that two bands of stalksmay be pulled simultaneously by each pulling element, and that thesebands may be forwarded in sheets, one on each side of the element, tothe rear where they are conveyed to the outlet in a single sheet. 10With this object in view, the invention essentially consists in thespecial arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter fullydescribed and pointed in the appended claims.

On the annexed drawings which show by way 15 of example how theinvention may be carried into practical efiect:

Figures 1 to 6 relate to a first construction. Figure 1 is a section inside elevation of the machine.

.20 Figure 2 is a plan View of the whole seen in the direction of thearrow A in Figure 1.

Figure 2A shows a part of Figure 2 together with an attachment'which maybe used with the device of the present invention. 25 Figure 3 is asection view showing the mounting of the plates of one element.

Figure 4 is a View of the machine seen in the direction of the arrow Bin Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the .30 operation of the pullingplates.

Figure 5A shows a part of the device illustrated in Figure 5 togetherwith an attachment which may be used according to a modified form of theinvention.

, 35 Figure 6 is a view of a pulling element.

' Figure 6A shows a part of Fig. 6 together with an attachment accordingto a modified form of the invention. i

Figures 7 to 9 relate to a second construction.

, Figure 7 is a section view,

Figure 8 is a section on line VIII-VIII in Figure 7 and Figure 9 is aplan view.

Referring to these drawings (Figures 1 to 6), l

.45 denotes the wheels of the machine carried by arms 2 integral with across-member 3. The latter is extended on one side of the machine by agirder 4 serving for the attachment of the pole 5 and supporting adriving element 6, for ex- Extending parallel to the cross-member 3 is across-member 7 connected to the cross-member 3 by braces 8. Theassemblage 3-1-8 occupies an inclined position relatively to the ground(Fig. 1).

56 The cross-member 3 serves as support for shafts 9 carrying plates land each terminating in a crank H supporting in its turn a plate 12(Figure 3), so that each plate I2 is offset relatively to a plate It!(Figure The cross-member l carries spindles l3 for pulleys I4 andspindles l5 forpulleys It. The pulleys M and spindles l3 are'arranged inpairs between two pulleys I6 and two spindles 15.

All the spindles l3-l5 are surrounded by a metal bushing ill forpreventing the flax from winding itself round these spindles. Thebushings' H are connected together by cross-members I8 and on theirpart, the spindles l3-i5 are connected together at their upper ends bycrossmembers IS. The cross-members l8, H] are 15 formed of sections soas to leave spaces between the pulleys I i for the passage of the flax.

Extending in the cross-member l is a driving shaft 2| provided withbevel pinions 22 meshing with bevel pinions 23, with which the lower end0 of each of the spindles i3 is provided.

The shaft 2| is supported by bearings 24 and the whole is enclosed in acasing 25. At its end, the shaft 2| carries a sprocket wheel 26 forenabling it to be driven by the motor'fi. .25

Mounted on the cross-members l8-l9 are arms 21-28 carrying pulleys 30through the medium of small arms 29.

The arms 21-28 are secured to the cross-member 3 by braces 3|. 30

Co-operating with each pair of plates is an element for separating thestalks of flax constituted by a bar or rod 32, tapered at its end andfixed to the cross-member 3.

Said bar 32 serves for the attachment, for 35 example by Welding, ofguides 33 inclined relatively to the bars 32 and connected to the pins lI by a curved portion 34.

Rods 35, likewise for separation, are also fixed to the cross-member 3,but at the place of the -40 arms 21-28, and likewise carry inclinedguides 36 connected to the bars 21.

As shown more particularly in Figure 6, two belts co-operate with eachelement of the machine comprising two plates l0-i2:

(1) A belt 3'! passing over a pulley l6, apulley l4, 2. part of theperiphery of the upper plate l2 and apulley 30. v

(2) A belt 38 likewise passing over a pulley 16,

a pulley l4, a part of the periphery of the lower plate l0 and a pulley30.

Each of these belts may be provided with a roller tensioning device 39and any desired system of guiding.

Considering a single element represented in Figure 6, it will beappreciated that, by the forward movement of the machine (Figure 6), theflax stalks to be pulled are separated into two bands AB of about 0.40metre each by the dividing or separating members 3233 on the one handand 35-36 on the other. The stalks are then conducted towards thethroats C and D formed by the meeting of the belts 31-38 and platesI0-I2.

At the point C, that is to say, at the throat formed by the meeting ofthe belt 31 and upper plate I2, the fiax is seized and pressed againstthe rim of the plate by the belt 31. Due to the backward rotation of theinclined plate I2, the stalks are pulled up and conveyed towards therear of the machine.

The same thing occurs at the point D, that is to say the throat formedby the meeting of the belt 38 and lower plate I0, which rotates in theopposite direction to the plate I2.

Thus, two bands of stalks are pulled and conveyed in sheets, one on eachside of the element, towards the rear where a guide 40 interposedbetween the two plates I0-I2 and fixed to the central shaft 9 conductsthem in a single sheet towards the outlet E.

As shown in Figures 2, 3, 5, it is possible to arrange any number ofthese elements side by side. The machine thus constructed possessesnumerous advantages. It is admirably suitable for the retting of theflax on the ground, due to the fact that each element pulls the stalksup over a width of ground of 0.80 metre, that is, much larger than withexisting machines, thus clearing just the area necessary for the groundretting of the flax, which then measures 0.80 metre and is pulled up andlaid transversely in the rear. Furthermore, the machine delivers thestalks pulled on each side in a single, continuous parallel sheet, thefeet being on the same line.

In the case of retting on the ground, each outlet E may be provided witha device for bringing the flax into an appropriate position forspreading it on the ground.

This device, which is illustrated in Figures 2A, 5A and 6A, comprises apulley 4i mounted on supports 42 and carrying a belt 43 likewise passingover one of the pulleys I4 of each element. A curved metal sheet 44permits the fall of material to be guided.

The object of the movability of the pulleys 30 and arms 29 is to preventthe fracture of member if a stone or other like object were to becomewedged between the belts 31 and 38 and the plates I0-I2.

Of course, the foregoing details have been given purely by way ofexample and numerous modifications may be introduced without departingfrom the invention. Thus, the machine may be drawn by animal or bytractor.

Figures '1, 8 and 9 relate to a modification, the object of which is tosimplify considerably the construction of the machine and at the sametime to render it more robust, lighter andless bulky, so that it may bereadily fitted in place of the cutters to the chassis of aharvester-binder or mowing machine. In this construction, the frame ofthe machine comprises a tube IOI, generally of steel, surmounted by twotubes I02 and I03 situated at the ends of the chassis, and two tubes I04and I05 situated between the tubes I02 and I03. The tubes I04 and I05are connected by braces I06 and I01 serving as supports for a fixedcranked shaft I08, on which rotate the,

plates I09 and H0 by means of ball bearings III and H2 mounted in bushesH3 and H4. In addition, each plate rests on ball bearings H5 and H6.

Extending in the interior of the tube IOI is a driving shaft II1supported at its ends in ball bearings II6 and H9 and driven by asprocket pinion I20, a chain I2I, asprocket wheel I22, transmissionshaft I23, sprocket pinion I24, chain I25, sprocket wheel I26 integralwith the driving wheel I21 mounted freely on the tube IOI by means ofroller bearings. The shaft I23 is carried by two supports I26 and I29fixed to the tube IOI by clips I30 and NH.

The shaft II'I carries bevel pinions I32 and I33 meshing with bevelpinions I34 and I35 fixed to the ends of vertical shafts I36 and I31extending respectively in the tubes I04 and I05 and rotating in ballbearings I38 and I39.

At their upper ends, the shafts I36 and I31 carry toothed pinions I40and MI meshing with ring gears I42 and I43 with which are provided theplates I99 and III].

As usual, co-operating with the plates I09 and IIO are belts I44 and I45passing over the rims I46 of the plates I09 and III] and also over guidpulleys I41, I48, I49, I50, I5I, I52.

The tubes I02 and I03 support plates I53 extending laterally relativelyto the plates I09 and III and slightly below the lower plate I09. In-

tegral with plates I53 are plates I54 extending in a directionsubstantially at right-angles relatively to the plates I53. In front,the plates I53 are likewise extended by plates I55.

The assemblage I53-I54-l55 is connected to the tube IOI by rods I56 andcarries by means of braces I51 plates I58 and I59 which, internally,conform to a part of the periphery of the plates I09 and I I0 and areslightly above the plate IIO.

Between the plates I53-I54I55 and plates I58 and I59 are located thepulleys I41, I48, I49, I50, I5I, I52 which rotate in ball bearings onthe braces I60 provided with bushes.

The spindles of the pulleys I49 and I52 are mounted in slots I6I foradjusting the tension of the belts I44 and I45.

The machine is completed by a guide plate I62 placed between the platesI99 and H0 and also by a cone I63 fixed to the upper plate III] forprotecting the bearing elements of the latter.

Due to this arrangement, the machine is considerably simplified. Inaddition, it is capable of Working in any weather, on any ground andwith a staff unskilled in engineering, these qualities resulting fromthe lightness, simplicity and robustness of the machine, and also fromthe fact that all the gears and bearing members are protected.

It should be remarked that, preferably, in a machine of this type, beltsof trapezoidal form will be employed, which will facilitate theirengagement in the grooves of the pulleys. In addition, they possess aconvexity I64 co-operating with a groove I65 with which the rim I46 ofthe plates I09 and H0 is provided.

In addition, the tube IOI may be provided with supports I66 leaving aspace between them in which are lodged lifting bars I61 each oscillatingabout a pivot I66 and extended rearwardly by bars G69 projecting fromthe supports I66, and on which it is possible to act by means of a leverI19 integral with a control rod I1I provided with nose pieces I12,enabling the simultaneous lifting of the bars I61 and I69 to becontrolled when the necessity arises. Elements the construction of andcorrespond to guides 33, 36 of the first form of construction describedabove.

1 It should furthermore be remarked that the arrangement described inFigures '7, 8 'and9, more particularly regarding the arrangement of thetubes I02, I03, I04 and I05 may be applied equally well in the case of apulling machine having two pulling plates as in that of a machine havingonly one pulling plate (in the present case the plate N39). Thedot-and-dash line 11 in Fig. 9 indicates that Fig. 7 is a section online 1-1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

In addition, the machine described is equally suitable for traction bymeans of horses as in the casein which a separate motor is employed fordriving the mechanism.

What I claim is:

1. In a machine for pulling standing flax and other like plants from thefield in combination with a frame adapted to be moved across the field,a hollow horizontal tube on said frame, a driving shaft rotating in thesaid hollow tube, two vertical tubes fixed to the said horizontal hollowtube at either end of the frame and two other tubes fixed to thehorizontal tube and situated between the two other vertical tubes, meansconnecting the intermediate vertical tubes, a fixed cranked shaftsupported by the said latter means, two pulling plates carried by thesaid cranked shaft, means whereby the said pulling plates are rotated,and pulling belts cooperating with the said pulling plates.

2. In a machine for pulling standing flax and other like plants from thefield in combination with a frame adapted to be moved across the field ahorizontal tube on said frame, two vertical tubes fixed to thehorizontal tube, one at each of the extremities of the said horizontaltube, two other vertical tubes also fixed to the said horizontal tube,braces connecting the two intermediate tubes, a fixed cranked shaftcarried by said braces, two pulling plates mounted on the said crankedshaft and being transversely offset relatively to one another, pulleyssupported by the outer vertical tubes, two belts, each of the said beltspassing on said pulleys and on a portion of the periphery of one pullingplate and, means whereby the plates are adapted to be rotated inopposite directions.

3. In a machine for pulling standing flax and other like plants from thefield, in combination with a frame adapted to be moved across the fielda horizontal hollow tube on said frame, a driving shaft extending in thelatter, four vertical tubes fixed to the said horizontal tube, bracesconnecting the two intermediate tubes, a fixed cranked shaft carried bysaid braces, two pulling plates mounted on the said cranked shaft andbeing transversely ofiset relatively to one another, pulleys, two belts,each of the latter passing on said pulleys and on a portion of theperiphery of one pulling plate, means whereby the plates are rotated inopposite directions from the driving shaft, two of the tubes containingsecondary shafts for driving the pulling plates and two otherssupporting said pulleysfor the belts.

4. In a machine for pulling standing flax and other like plants from thefield, in combination with a frame adapted to be moved across the fielda horizontal hollow tube on said frame, a driving shaft extending in thelatter, four vertical tubes fixed to the said horizontal tube, bracesconnecting the two intermediate tubes, a fixed cranked shaft carried bysaid braces, two

pulling plates mounted onthe said cranked shaft and being transverselyofiset relatively to one another, pulleys, two belts, each of the latterpassing on said pulleys and on a portion of the periphery of one pullingplate, means whereby the plates are rotated in opposite directions fromthe driving shaft, two of the tubes containing secondary shafts fordriving the pulling plates and two others supporting said pulleys forthe belts, pinion gears on the lower faces of said pulling plates, andcorresponding pinions on the upper ends of said secondary shafts inengagement with said pinion gears.

5. In a machine for pulling standing flax and other like plants from thefield, in combination with a frame adapted to be moved across the fielda horizontal hollow tube on said frame, a driving shaft extending in thelatter, four vertical tubes fixed to the said horizontal tube, bracesconnecting the two intermediate tubes, a fixed cranked shaft carried bysaid braces, two pulling plates mounted on the said cranked shaft andbeing transversely offset relatively to one another, pulleys, two belts,each of the latter passing on said pulleys and on a portion of theperiphery of one pulling plate, means whereby the plates are rotated inopposite directions from the driving shaft, two of the tubes containingsecondary shafts for driving the pulling plates and two otherssupporting said pulleys for the belts, pinion gears on the lower facesof said pulling plates, corresponding pinions on the upper ends of saidsecondary shafts in engagement with said pinion gears, fixed platessupported on said vertical tubes, and pairs of cover plates connected tosaid fixed plates and conforming to the pulling plates over part oftheir periphery, said pulleys being arranged between pairs of coverplates.

6. In a machine for pulling standing flax and other like plants from thefield, in combination with a frame adapted to be moved across the fielda horizontal hollow tube on said frame, a driving shaft extending in thelatter, four vertical tubes fixed to the said horizontal tube, bracesconnecting the two intermediate tubes, a fixed cranked shaft carried bysaid braces, two pulling plates mounted on the said cranked shaft andbeing transversely offset relatively to one another, pulleys, two belts,each of the latter passing on said pulleys and on a portion of theperiphery of one pulling plate, means whereby the plates are rotated inopposite directions from the driving shaft, two of the tubes containingsecondary shafts for driving the pulling plates and two otherssupporting said pulleys for the belts, the belts having a trapezoidalform.

7. In a machine for pulling standing flax and other like plants from thefield, in combination with a frame adapted to be moved across the fielda horizontal hollow tube on said frame, a driving shaft extendingin thelatter, four vertical tubes fixed to the said horizontal tube, bracesconnecting the two intermediate tubes, a fixed cranked shaft carried bysaid braces, two pulling plates mounted on the said cranked shaft andbeing transversely offset relatively to one another, pulleys, two belts,each of the latter passing on said pulleys and on a portion of theperiphery of one pulling plate, means whereby the plates are rotated inopposite directions from the driving shaft, two of the tubes containingsecondary shafts for driving the pulling plates and two otherssupporting said pulleys for the belts, the belts having a trapezoidalform and a convexity cooperating with grooves provided in the rims ofsaid pulling plates.

8. In a machine for pulling standing flax or other like plants from thefield, a frame adapted to be moved across the field, two superimposedplates mounted on said frame for rotation in opposite directions abouttransversely offset axes, and two continuously revolving belts arrangedfor cooperation with the revolving surfaces of said plates,respectively, the surfaces of each belt and its corresponding plateconverging over parts of their paths to form a throat for grasping theplants and traveling in elastic contact with each other over subsequentparts of their paths to pull the grasped plants from the field andtransport them through the machine.

9. A machine, as claimed in claim 8, in which said frame comprises across member carrying transversely offset fixed shafts, saidsuperimposed plates being supported freely rotatable on said shafts.

10. A machine, as claimed in claim 8, in which said frame comprises across-member, carrying a fixed shaft on which the lower one of saidsuperimposed plates is freely rotatably mounted, said shaft terminatingin a fixed crank rotatably supporting the upper one of said superimposedplates in a position transversely offset with respect to said lowerplate.

11. A machine, as claimed in claim 8, in which said frame comprises across member, spindles carried by said cross member, and pulleys forsaid belts mounted on said spindles.

MAURICE ALOIS SOENENS.

